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Rueter-Hess Incline
4.7 ★★★★★ 238 Google reviews · Running trail in Parker, Colorado · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 7 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rueter-Hess Incline's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Rueter-Hess Incline
“I do recommend others to come here, it’s a very nice and well maintained incline - no pets allowed.”
“It’s a short but challenging climb with about 140 steps and rewarding, beautiful views overlooking the reservoir and surrounding hills.”
If I lived in Denver, I’d come here every morning for a quick hit workout. The stairs are awesome. Not difficult to do but will give you a nice pump on your quads and you can put your lunges to work. I was here for about an hour, ran the stairs 4x and the full loop once. I saw kids and all age groups doing it.
This place is great for that climbing workout. Ample parking and place is clean and maintained well. Steps are well maintained and views from top of the incline are superb. It’s exactly 1 mile hike loop from parking and back.
This hiking trail is sweet and simple for the beginner to moderate hikers with great surrounding views. Though the incline is a stark contrast to the Manitou Springs Incline, you will still get a nice cardio workout.
Pretty short loop, around 150 stairs and only a mile around. I’d recommend going on the trail on the top because there’s some pretty good look out spots :)
Trail conditions & character
“Fair warning that there is a grassy section right before the incline behind that is pretty mosquito infested so do use bug spray.”
“It’s a short but challenging climb with about 140 steps and rewarding, beautiful views overlooking the reservoir and surrounding hills.”
“The entire loop isn't much over a mile but it's a good 20 minute workout to get the heart pumping.”
“Overall, a nice walking area with parking that you can customize to include some of the nearby trails.”
“I think there is a 7 mile trail loop going over to the reservoir but I've yet to take it.”
Plan your run at Rueter-Hess Incline
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance7 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websitedouglas.co.us
- Phone(720) 733-6990
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–6 PM |
Running trails near Parker
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Prairie Sky Park
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Ridgegate Trail
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